My mother made sure books were around for her to read to me, and when she discovered just before I turned 3 that I could read on my own, I could read them to her.
Education starts young, indeed, and that’s the idea behind the United Way of Greater Augusta collaboration with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Churchville and surrounding areas.
The United Way and the Imagination Library are teaming up to get books in the hands of families with children from birth to age 5 in Churchville, Craigsville, Deerfield, West Augusta, Swoope and Goshen. On Saturday, we’ll be celebrating the grand opening of a new Dolly Parton Imagination Library station at the Churchville Library.
The event, from 2-4 p.m., will include puppet shows, refreshments, literacy activities, storytelling, door prizes and more. The more includes signups for families living in Western Augusta to receive a free book in the mail each month from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Each child in attendance will receive a free book courtesy the Rotary Club of Staunton.
And I’m the lucky guy serving as emcee for the event – quite an honor for me as a Deerfield native.
Admission is free.
– Story by Chris Graham